Means for adjusting container bottoms



y 19-35- I B. J. DAVIDSON 2,006,446

MEANS FOR ADJUSTING CONTAINER BOTTOMS Fiied Nov. 12, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet '1 521/05 J. DA v/Da OA/ I N VE N TOR wmm lg 2 1935 J. DAVIDSON MEANS FOR ADJUSTING CONTAINER BOTTOMS Filed Nov. 12, .1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 BRUCE a. DA V/DsO/V I N VEN TOR Jufly 2, 135. B. J. DAVIDSON MEANS FOR ADJUSTING CONTAINER BOTTOMS Filed Nov. 12, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 mama JuEy 2 1935 B. J. DAVIDSON MEANS FOR ADJUSTING CONTAINER BOTTOMS Filed Nov. 12, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 BEz/CE J. DHV/DJOA/ INVENTOR Patented July 2, 1935 UNl'lED STATES MEANS FOR ADJUSTING CONTAINER Bo'rToMs Bruce J. Davidson, Kew Gardens, N. .Y., assignor to National Biscuit Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application November 12, 1932, Serial No. 12,358

16 Claims.

cookies, biscuit, and the like are sold from the containers or boxes in which they are shipped, the merchants being provided with glass front display covers which take the place of the covers that are on the boxes during shipment. The containers have four short flanges or flaps at the top which are turned inward over the goods when packed, but three of which are turned or bent outward against the sides'of the boxand the frame of the coverslipped over them after the box is opened. The frame has a number of lugs r projections that engage under the lower edges of the flanges to hold the frame in position on the box. The glass cover is hinged to this metal frame and can be raised to afford access to the contents. A cover of'this type that is largely used is shown in the patent to Taylor, No. 1,694,- 024, December 4, 1928. As the goods are sold, those remaining in the carton are not well displayed through the glass cover because they are too low in the box. In orderto keep the goods close to the glass cover where they will be effectively displayed, means have heretofore. been provided for adjusting the bottom of the container so as to bring the goods closer to the top. Such means are disclosed in my copending ap-- plications, Ser. Nos. 617,300, filed June 15, 1932, and .6 i2,356 filed November 12, 1932. 7

At the present time there are many millions of these glass front display covers in use and the present invention has forone of its objects to provide a means whereby these covers can be adapted to convenient use with adjustable bottoms for the containers. In some instances this is accomplished by bars or frames made from bars or rods which are detachably connected to or made to fit into the metal frames of the covers. These bars or bar frames areadapted to cooperate with flaps or extensions of the adjustable bottoms to hold them in any position of adjustment. In otherforms of the invention, the frame,

or bars are fixed to the cover frame, asby welding or soldering, and this form may of course be made as an integral part of new covers at the time of' their manufacture, ,or added to existing covers. In all of these cases, or forms of the present invention, themeans for adjusting the bottom of the container is accessible through the display cover, and the cover frame carries or is provided with means for supporting the bottom in different positions of adjustment. r

When the merchandise is-packed inthe con- 1 shows the adjusted frame of Fig. 4 fitted tainer at the bakery, the adjustable bottom is placed therein with its flaps extending upwardly along two sides of the box. -When the merchant; receives the goods, he replaces theshipping cover with a glass front display cover into which he '5 has slipped a supplemental frame or bars and the invention is ready for use. Of course, if the merchant has beenprovided with covers having the bars or rods permanently secured therein, it is only necessary for him to place the cover on the container. In either case, all adjustments of the bottom can be made without removing the display cover.

My invention may be embodied in many dif-. ferent forms, several of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a cross section through a container and a display cover frame showing the adjustable bottom raised to about mid-position, the hinged glass cover being omitted from the cover frame.

- Fig. 2 shows a metal cover frame, the glass cover being omitted.

" Fig. 3 illustrates a carton that may be used with my invention.

Fig. 4 shows a frame made from metal bars, bent and welded together, adapted to fit in the cover frame of Fig. 2 and hold the bottom in adjusted position as shown in Fig. 1.

into the cover frame of Fig. 2..

G is a blank for forming the adjustable bottom and side flaps. 9

Figs. '7 and '7A show another form of adjusting frame and how it fits in the cover frame respectively.

Figs. 8, 8A and 9, 9-A are similar views of other forms of adjusting frames.

Fig. 10 is a detail View of one corner of a container showing how the adjustable bottom is sup ported by the frames of Figs. 7'to 9.

Fig. 11 shows a frame having hinged side bars, and Figs. 1l.. and 11-13 show its use with the cover frame and adjustable'bottom.

-12, 12A, and 12'B are similar views wherein the'adjusting frame has pivoted double side bars for locking the bottom in adjusted position. 1

Fig. 1.5 shows two bars or rods which are fixedly secured to the cover frame as shown in Fig. 15-A, by welding, soldering, or other means.

Figs. 16 and 17 are sectional views through the cover frame showing how the adjusting frame is supported.

In Figs. 1 to 6 I have illustrated a preferred form of my invention and how it may be used with existing display covers and cartons. The adjusting frame shown in Fig. 4 is generally rectangular in shape and three of its sides are formed from a single bar or rod 20, the ends of which are doubled upon themselves at 2|, 22 so as to provide spaced parallel side bars 23,24 on the two sides of the frame, the inner ends of the bars 24 being bent inwardly and welded at 25 to the side bars 23. The bar 29 is preferably a fiat bar but it may be round or any other shape desired. The cross bar is welded at 21, 21 to the bars 23, 24, and its ends project beyond the side bars to provide lugs 28, 28 which engage under the flanges 29, 29 of the display cover frame 3|] to hold the adjusting frame in position.

The cover frame 39, shown in Fig. 2, is of the type commonly. used in the baking industry, and as shown in the patent to Taylor, No. 1,694,024, abovereferred to. The cover frame 30 is made from sheet metal such as brass, the metal being folded to provide inwardly projecting ledges 3|, 3| at the top and bottom of the cover, and upwardly extending lips 32, 32 at the two sides of the frame. As shown in the Taylor patent just referred to, the glass cover is hinged adjacent one of the lips 32, 32, but has been omitted from the present drawings because it forms no part of the invention. It will, however, be understood that the hinged cover closes down over the lips 32, 32 to close the opening in the frame 30.

In Fig. 3, I have shown a carton 33 of the type usually used for packing bakery goods, and which has three downwardly turned flanges 34 at its top, only one of which shows in Fig; 3, and an inwardly turned flange 35. The frame 39 of the display cover fits down over these flanges 34 and is held in position by engagement with the lower edges of the flanges 34, as is well understood in the art.

The adjusting frame of Fig. 4 is designed to fit in the cover frame 39, the lugs 28 being below or lying in a plane beneath the plane ofthe side bars 23, 24 so that they can pass under the flanges 29, 29 and the ends of the side bars will rest on the ledges 3|, the position of the adjusting frame in the display cover frame being clearly shown in Fig. 5.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a blank for forming an adjustable bottom and its side flaps which may be used with my present invention. but I may also use the form of blank shown in my earlier copending applications. In the present Fig. 6, the blank is scored to outline a bottom 36 and stiffening side flanges 31, 31 and end flaps 38, 38. In using this blank, it is folded along the score lines 39 and placed in the bottom of the container with the flanges 31 and flaps 38 extending upwardly and lying close to the sides of the container. The container is then filled with merchandise and when it is received by the merchant, he takes off the shipping cover and replaces it with the display cover 30, in which he has placed the adjusting frame 29. As shown in Figs. 1, 10, and 13 the side bars 24 are over the ends of the flaps 38, 38. After a part of the mer chandise has been sold, he will reach through the cover opening and fold outwardly the ends of the two flaps on the proper score lines, and

then grasping the folded ends, will raise the bottom 36 to such a height that the folded ends can be tucked down between the respective side bars 23, 24 as shown in Fig. 1, which holds the bottom 36 in adjusted position.

The folds in the flaps will of course be made at such a point that the bottom will come to rest at the proper height when the ends of the flaps are tucked down between the side bars 23, 24. The material of the flaps is of sufficient stiffness and the bars 23, 24 close enough together so as to prevent the flaps from straightening out and releasing the bottom.

The bottom may be adjusted as many times as desired or necessary to keep the goods close to the top so that they may be properly displayed, as shown in Fig. 13-A, 13-B, l3-C, and 13-D.

In Figs. '1 to 10, I have shown three modified forms of the invention in which the adjustable frame has single side bars and the upwardly extending lips on the display frame may serve the function of the outer side bars 23 in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4.

In Fig. '7 the frame is formed from a single strip of metal 40 which forms three sides of a rectangular frame, the two sides 4|, 4| being offset inwardly at 42, 43 and connected by a cross bar 44, welded thereto, and the ends of which project laterally to provide lugs 45, 45 to engage under the flanges 29 of the display cover frame 39. I

In Fig. 8 I haveshown an adjusting frame 46 made from a single rod or wire bent into shape, and its ends welded together so as to provide two end bars 41, 41 and side bars 48, 43, the metal being bent so as to provide lugs 49, 49 which project laterally from the bars 48 and lie in a plane beneath the main body of the frame. When the adjusting frame is in use, it fits into the cover frame 30, as shown in Fig. 8-A, with the lugs 49 engaged beneath the flanges 29 of the cover, and the end bars 41 resting on the ledges 3|.

' In Fig. 9 I have shown the adjusting frame made from a single wire or red 5|], one end of the frame being left open. This rod is bent to form the lugs 5|, 5|, inset side barsv 52,52 and an end bar 53. The loops 54 in the rods at the open end are adapted to rest on one of the ledges 3| of the cover frame, and the lugs 5| engage under flanges 29 while at the opposite end the corners 55 rest upon the other ledge 3|, the mid-portion of the end section 53 being bent inwardly and downwardly so that an offset 56 engages under the ledge 3|.

In each of Figs. '7, 8, and 9, the side bars are offset inwardly so that when they are fitted into their respective frames, as shown in Figs. '7-A, 8A, and 9-A, there will be a space or slot 51 between the respective side bars and the adja-. cent lips 32. This provides a space through which thefree ends of the flaps 38 are tucked when the adjustable bottom is raised, as clearly shown in Fig. 10. a

In the adjusting device shown in Figs. 1 to 10, the bottoms are held in adjustable position merely by the stiffness of the free' ends of the side flaps and the friction between them and the side bars, but in the adjusting devices shown in Figs. 11 to 12-B, I have shown means for more securely locking the flaps in adjusted position. In Fig. 11 the adjusting frame consists of side bars 58 to which are welded cross bars 59 having laterally extending lugs 60 to engage under the flanges 29 of the cover 36. Auxiliary sidebars or locking bars 6|, 6| are hinged to one of the cross bars 59, as shown at 62, and at their oppocross bars engaging under the flanges 2Q.

site'ends, are Ebent :to :form latches .6.3 which enease with the other :cross @bar '59. This adjusting frame fitszin theicoverzframe, asiclearlyzshown in Fig; .:1 l..A, with the ends of :the sidebars 5.8 resting on the ledges 3i and the ends ii of the The cross bars and side bars 59, 58 .may be made from round stock or of any other cross sectional shape desired, but the locking bars fil preferably are made from :square :material so as ,to provide a relatively 'sharpiedge'for tearing off the :projecting ends of the "flaps .38 when the bottom is adjusted, as shown in Fig. *l1B. As shown in Fig. 1-l-B, when it is desired to adjust the bottom .36 to .a higher position, the .ilaps 33 are drawn up on the outside of bars 58,-the locking bars 6! having first been raised to vertical .position. The flaps 38 are then bent inwardly over the bars 58 and the locking bars 6! then. swung down into horizontal position until the latches :63 engage on the cross bar 59. The free ends of the fiaps .38 which then project down beyond :the locking bars may betorn oli, as indicated in the upper left hand part of Fig. 11 B. The locking bars 6! fit closely enough to the side bars 5.8' so that the fiapsare securely held in adjusted position regardless of .theweight of the matoria. that maybe supported by the bottom 36.

In Figs. 12 to 12B I have shown an adjusting framehaving 1a turn-over locking device. In this frame the cross bars 68 and side bars .65 are preferably formed from asingle piece of material, welded together, and .the side bars 65 are oifset .below the cross bars (it .so that they will engage under the cover flanges 2d and the cross ibBJlS.Wi11 rest on the ledges 35.. The turn-over locking means consists of two bars El, welded together tic-provide a space between'them, the 132,! 5! being offset and its .two ends pivotally mounted in loopsfifl, 69 formed in the cross rods 64. The loops E58, 69 maybe open ontheir under sides, but the locking bars 55, iii-will be held in position because the cross bars ed rest upon the ledges 3!, which prevents the locking bars dropping out.

In using this form of my invention, the locking bars are normally turned to the position shown 'at -the right in Figs. 12 and 12-A, but when. it is desired to adjust the bottom .the locks are turned inwardly; as shown. at the left in Figs. 2 and 12A, and the adjusting flaps 3.8 are pulled up between the bars 66, .6! until the bottom reaches the desired height. The lock is then turned upwardly and outwardly on its pivotal connection 63, 69 until it assumes the position shown at the right in Fig. 12 -B, which puts a sharp fold in the flap 3% and securely looks it in position. Anyexcess part of the flap may then be torn off.

In Figs. 14 and 14A, I have shown another form of adjusting frame in which three sides of the frame are formed froma flat bar Iii, which is bent to provide an end bar H and two side bars 72, which are offset inwardly similar to the side bars shown in. Figs. '7, 8, and 9, and at their open ends are connected by a rod or wire'13, which is welded to side bars near their free ends at 'M, M, and running parallel to, but below and outside of, the side bars 52, is welded to them at the points where they join the end bar "H, as indicated at These side portions 16, iii of this wire engage under the flanges 29 of the cover, and intermediate its ends the portion 'ld is bent upwardly and outwardly to form a projection ll adapted to rest on one of the ledges 3|, as clearly shown in Fig. 14A.

of :the adjustable bottom from time to time.

When this adjusting :frame' :is usecLits side bar 312 will be spaced-a slight :distance from the ilips 32 so as to provide a space through which the free ends aof ithe :fiaps 'may be tucked, v:jus't as is the :case-inF-igs. II to 10.

' In :Figs. H5 :and i15--A, the adjusting frame comprises rtwoaoifset bars I 8, 18, the :ends 19 of which are fixedly secured, as by soldering-or welding,:to :the display cover frame 30,:the offset portions of the bars :providing spaces 88 between them'and the ilips 32, within whichthe ends of st-he flaps can be tucked. This is probablygthe most simple form of my invention and that which willbe used as new display covers are made, but

the forms heretofore described are adapted to be used with existing display covers, many millions of which are now in the hands of dealers.

Referring now to Fig. 13, I have illustrated the steps that will be used in changing the position In this figure, Ashows that the bottom 36-l1as been raised and secured in positionjthe flaptii having been tucked down between the side bar of the adjusting frame and the lip 32 of the cover. In Fig. 133 I have shown the flap and bottom 38 raised a little higher, and-in Fig. 130 the next step is shown wherein the flap 38 has been folded along one of its score lines and is ready to be pushed down between the side bar and lip 32. In'Fig. 131), the flap has beenlet down until the new fold that was made in it engages the side bar of the adjusting frame and the bottom 35 has come to rest at a higher position of adjustment than it occupied in Fig. 13A. In this manner,

the bottom may be adjusted as many times and to any position desired.

I have shown and described several embodiments of my invention adapted for use with cartons and display covers thatare commonly used with bakery products. 1 However, it is to be understood that my invention is not limited either to the embodiments or uses shown but is capable of many other adaptations and uses with many kinds of merchandise, boxes, and containers, and I claim as my invention all forms, modifications and equivalents thereof that come within the scope of my claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combinationa container having an adiustable bottom with side flaps extending upwardly therefrom, a cover frame fitting the top of the container and forming a cover opening therefor, side bars carriedby said frame and spaced from the edges of the cover opening, said bars flaps being arranged so that said flaps may be raised through said opening and hooked over said side bars to adjust the position of said bottom.

2. In combination, a container having an adjustable bottom with side flaps extending upwardly therefrom, a cover frame fitting the top of the container and forming a cover opening therefor, said'frame having upwardly extending lips adjacent said opening, side bars carried by said frame and spaced adjacent said lips, said bars and being arranged. so that the flaps may be raised and tucked between said bars and lips to adjust the position of said bottom.

3. In combinatioma container having an adjustable bottom with side flapsv extending upwardly therefrom, a cover frame fitting the top of the container and forming a cover opening therefor, pairs of parallel side bars at opposite sides of said cover frame and adjacent said opening, said parallel bars and side flaps being so arranged that said flaps may be raised and their adjacent the other two sides of said cover opening, said flaps being arranged to be raised and hooked over said bars to adjust said bottom.

5. In combination, a container having an adjustable bottom with side flaps extending upwardly therefrom, a cover frame fitting the top of the container and forming a cover opening therefor, said frame having inwardly projecting ledges and upwardly extending lips adjacent said opening, side bars supported on said ledges and lying adjacent said lips said flaps being arranged to be raised adjacent said bars and their ends tucked between said bars and lips to adjust the bottom.

6. a new article of manufacture, a combination dispiay cover and bottom adjuster'for con tainers having adjustable bottoms comprising, a display cover frame having a cover opening therein, bars supported by said frame and spaced inwardly from two sides of said opening and accessible therethrough.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a combination display cover and bottom adjuster for contanicrs having adjustable bottoms comprising, a display cover frame providing a cover opening, an adjuster frame mounted on said cover frame and having side bars spaced inwardly from two opposite edges of said opening.

8. As a new article of manufacture, an adjuster frame for a commercial display cover having a display opening and ledges adjacent thereto, said frame comprising a rectangular frame adapted to be inserted in said display opening, outwardly extending side lugs disposed adjacent the ends of two opposite sides and below the plane of the frame and adapted to engage under said ledges.

9. As a new article of manufacture, an adjuster frame adapted to fit in'the frame of the usual display covers and comprising a generally rectangular frame, two opposite side bars of said frame being inset, and side lugs projecting laterally therefrom and in a different plane.

10. As a new article of manufacture, an adjuster frame for containers having adjustable bottoms comprising, a rectangular frame, three sides of said frame lying in substantially the same plane, and the fourth side lying in another plane and secured to two opposite sides, said fourth side having projections extending beyond the two opposite sides to which it is secured to provide a pair of lugs, and said two sides projecting beyond said fourth side to provide a second pair of lugs lying in a different plane from said first mentioned pair of lugs.

11. As a new article of manufacture, an adjuster frame for containers having adjustable bottoms comprising, a frame having three sides formed from a single bar, two opposite sides of which are inset, the fourth side of the frame being formed from a bar secured to said inset sides and extending therebeyond to provide lugs.

12. As a new article of manufacture, an adjuster frame for containers having adjustable bottoms comprising, a frame having three sides formed from a single bar, the two opposite sides being folded upon themselves to provide double side rods, the inner rods being spaced from the outer, and a cross bar secured to the under side of said double side rods and projecting therebeyond to provide locking lugs.

13. As a new article of manufacture, an adjuster frame for containers having adjustable bottoms comprising, a rectangular frame, two opposite sides thereof having spaced parallel bars, and side lugs extending therefrom in a different plane.

14. In combination, a container having an adjustable bottom with side flaps extending upwardly therefrom, a cover frame fitting the top of the container and forming a cover opening therefor, pairs of parallel bars supportedby said frame adjacent opposite sides of said opening, said bars and flaps being arranged so that said flaps may be raised within said opening and their ends tucked downwardly between the bars of each pair to adjust said bottom.

15. As a new article of manufacture an adjuster frame for containers having adjustable bottoms comprising, a rectangular frame having side bars and cross bars, and locking bars pivoted with respect to said cross bars and disposed adjacent said side bars in looking position.

16. As a new article of manufacture, an adjuster frame for containers having adjustable bottoms comprising, a rectangular frame having side bars and cross bars, double locking bars pivoted to said cross bars and adapted to receive and lock the flaps of an adjustable bottom.

BRUCE J. DAVIDSON. 

